Oxo-degradable
Oxo-degradable is a term used to describe plastic polymers that, via an oxidative process, are more easily degradable into smaller pieces, although those pieces may not necessarily degrade further at the same rate, in effect becoming microplastics, which have a series of associated issues. Oxo-biodegradable infers the potential for further biodegradation but the definition is not clear or standardised.
The European Committee for Standardization (CEN, for Comité Européen de Normalisation) has established the following definitions, in TR 15351:[7]
- Oxo-degradation is degradation resulting from "oxidative cleavage of macromolecules";
- Oxo-biodegradation is "degradation resulting from oxidative and cell-mediated phenomena, either simultaneously or successively".
These plastics, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), or polystyrene (PS) contain an additive prodegradant catalyst, salt of manganese or iron, that can help in breaking the material down into smaller pieces.
Oxo-degradables are a category unto themselves, they maybe confused with, but are not biodegradable plastics. As they are neither a bioplastic nor a biodegradable plastic, but more accurately plastic mixed with an additive in order to imitate biodegredation. They break down into microplastics, but not to the molecular or polymer level in the same way as biodegradable and compostable plastics. The resulting microplastics left in the environment have increasingly been found to be problematic.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Biogenic.
- Biobased materials.
- Bio-plastics.
- Plastic coating market.
- Plastic in construction.
- Plastic and recycling.
- Types of biobased materials.
- Types of plastic in construction.
- The Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) 2022.
- WRAP voluntary agreements lead industry crisis response.
- UK Plastics Pact.
- Waste and Resources Action Programme WRAP.
- Wood plastic composites market for construction.
Featured articles and news
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Architects Academy at an insulation manufacturing facility
Programme of technical engagement for aspiring designers.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.
The restoration of the novelist’s birthplace in Eastwood.
Life Critical Fire Safety External Wall System LCFS EWS
Breaking down what is meant by this now often used term.
PAC report on the Remediation of Dangerous Cladding
Recommendations on workforce, transparency, support, insurance, funding, fraud and mismanagement.
New towns, expanded settlements and housing delivery
Modular inquiry asks if new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing.
Building Engineering Business Survey Q1 2025
Survey shows growth remains flat as skill shortages and volatile pricing persist.
Construction contract awards remain buoyant
Infrastructure up but residential struggles.
Home builders call for suspension of Building Safety Levy
HBF with over 100 home builders write to the Chancellor.
CIOB Apprentice of the Year 2024/2025
CIOB names James Monk a quantity surveyor from Cambridge as the winner.
Warm Homes Plan and existing energy bill support policies
Breaking down what existing policies are and what they do.
Treasury responds to sector submission on Warm Homes
Trade associations call on Government to make good on manifesto pledge for the upgrading of 5 million homes.
A tour through Robotic Installation Systems for Elevators, Innovation Labs, MetaCore and PORT tech.
A dynamic brand built for impact stitched into BSRIA’s building fabric.
BS 9991:2024 and the recently published CLC advisory note
Fire safety in the design, management and use of residential buildings. Code of practice.
Comments
[edit] o make a comment about this article, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.